SECTOR 3 3.2 Broadcasting is regulated by an independent body adequately protected by law against interference whose board is appointed - in an open way - involving civil society and not dominated by any particular political party. The Communications Commission of Kenya is the chief regulator of broadcasting in the country. Its board is not independent and is dominated by people with vested interests and includes politicians and businesspeople. It is funded by the State, which appoints its members without consulting civil society or other stakeholders in the industry. “Members are appointed based on narrow considerations.” A court was forced to dismiss the sitting DG, who had been reappointed by the Minister of Information and Communications in spite of the objection of the CCK board. It is currently run by an interim Director General. Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country meets only a few aspects of indicator 3 Country meets some aspects of indicator 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator Average score: 1.7 (2005 = n/a, 2007 = n/a, 2009 = 1.8) 3.3 The body, which regulates broadcasting services and licences, does so in the public interest and ensures fairness and a diversity of views broadly representing society at large. Obtaining a broadcast frequency is a tough job in Kenya. In March 2012, about 4000 applications for frequencies were pending. Yet, every now and then, a newcomer receives a frequency. “The process is not put out in the public domain and the criteria [for allocating frequencies] are not known.” Frequencies for the city of Nairobi have all been taken but only a small fraction AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER KENYA 2012 43